Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by Carne Diem
Protein: 
Origin: North American, Canadian, American Midwest
Method: Oven or Smoker, Stovetop
Jump to RecipeOur beef brisket poutine is a Kansas City twist on the classic Canadian dish. Tender, smoked burnt ends are piled high on crispy fries with cheese curds and topped with a homemade brisket au jus gravy.
This smoked brisket BBQ poutine has become one of our favorite BBQ appetizers around Kansas City. Restaurants like Q39 make different versions of this BBQ fusion dish. Often after a competition cook or after making brisket at home, we are left with leftover brisket. Thankfully, over the years we have come across a number of recipes to make use of this BBQ staple like brisket chili and our Brisket Quesabirria Tacos.
This smoked brisket poutine has also become one of our go to recipes for making delicious meals out of leftover brisket. It combines those juicy BBQ brisket burnt ends on top of crispy fries, cheese curds, and smoky peppercorn gravy made from au jus from the brisket. While this may not be the healthiest dish that you have ever eaten, it just might be the tastiest.
Table of contents
What is Poutine?
Poutine is the National Dish of Canada and originated in Quebec in the 1950's. Traditionally it consists of French fries topped with cheese curds and a brown gravy. Our version uses au jus from our smoked brisket to make the gravy and is then topped with smoked burnt ends or chopped brisket.
How to Make BBQ Poutine with Smoked Brisket
Gather Your Ingredients
To make BBQ Brisket Poutine you will need cheese curds, French fries, chives, au jus and, of course, brisket. We also use some garlic powder, whiskey barrel smoked peppercorns, and Worcestershire sauce to add a little extra flavor to our peppercorn beef gravy.
How To Make The Peppercorn Beef Gravy For the Poutine
To make the beef gravy for your BBQ Poutine we typically like to collect the au jus from our brisket wrap. There is no reason to let that liquid gold go to waste. You will need 2 cups of the au jus to make the gravy, so if you are a little short, top it off with beef broth, or water if you want a little less salt. If you do not have brisket au jus you can use 1 cup of store bought au jus and 1 cup of beef broth. We have found if you use 100% store bought au jus the gravy can end up a bit salty. If you have a fat separator, you can use that to help separate the fat from the au jus.
Most of the flavor in your peppercorn beef gravy is going to come from the au jus, but you are going to need to thicken it up some. For this we make a cornstarch slurry which is basically just water and cornstarch. Mix the cornstarch and water until well combined.
Add the au jus or the au jus/beef broth to a sauce pan and bring to a gentle boil.
Next, add in the seasonings and Worcestershire sauce.
Slowly add in the cornstarch slurry a little at a time (about 1-2 tablespoons at a time), while whisking constantly. Continue adding the cornstarch slurry until you have reached the desired consistency. More than likely you will not need all of the slurry, and often only need a few tablespoons. Be sure to wait about a minute between cornstarch additions.
Once you have your perfect au jus gravy reduce the heat to just keep the gravy warm. If you overshoot and end up with a gravy that is too thick, thin with a little water or beef broth.
Best French Fries to use with BBQ Poutine
We strongly recommend using a crispy French fry for the Kansas City Style BBQ Poutine as they hold up better to the beef gravy. Our favorite is homemade Always Crispy French Fries, but if you have a favorite feel free to use it. Have left over fries? Be sure to try our Peruvian Lomo Saltado and Smoked Lebanese Chicken Shawarma, or use them as a side for our Spicy Double Smash Burger on Texas Toast or Tempura Pork Tenderloin Sandwich.
Assemble Your Kansas City Style BBQ Poutine
Place the fries in a pan or large serving plate. Top with the cheese curds. For this recipe we used hickory bacon cheese curds from Ellsworth Creamery, but any cheddar cheese curds will work well.
Next top the BBQ poutine with the smoked brisket and then pour the warm peppercorn gravy over the top.
Finally, top with the sliced chives.
Devour while warm. We recommend eating while fresh as reheated poutine will typically result in soggy fries. If you do have leftovers they should be stored in a covered container in the fridge and eaten within 3 days.
For more great brisket or brisket inspired meals be sure to check out some of our best BBQ brisket recipes:
- Beef Short Rib Burnt Ends
- Smoked Corned Beef Burnt Ends
- Brisket Burger Sliders with Horseradish Aioli
- Smoked Brisket Mac and Cheese
- Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup with Smoked Beef
Frequently Asked Questions
Making a poutine with burnet ends is or favorite was to make this BBQ fusion dish. Sliced or chopped brisket or pork burnt ends work well too.
Because the fries tend to get soggy after awhile poutine is best eaten soon after making it. If you want to reheat leftovers then reheat in a 350 degree oven, uncovered, for about 10-15 minutes.
If your gravy is still too thin, thicken with an additional cornstarch slurry. Bring to a brief boil then reduce to a simmer.
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📖 Recipe
BBQ Poutine with Smoked Brisket
Equipment
- Sauce Pan
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Chopped Cooked Brisket or Burnt Ends
- 1 Pound Cooked French Fries
- 2 Tablespoons Chives Sliced
- 8 Ounces Cheese Curds
Peppercorn Gravy
- 2 Cups Brisket au jus or beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Coarse Ground Peppercorns
- ⅓ Cup Water
- 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch
Instructions
- Cook your fries per package instructions, or better yet make them fresh.
- If using leftover brisket, reheat it and keep warm.
- In a small bowl make the cornstarch slurry by mixing the cornstarch and the water.
- In a saucepan, heat the brisket au jus or beef broth to a gentle boil then add in the peppercorns, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Slowly add in the cornstarch slurry a couple tablespoons at a time, whisking continuously, until you reach your desired thickness. You will likely not need to use all of the slurry. Reduce heat to keep warm.
- Place the cooked fries in a pan or a large plate. Top with the cheese curds and the brisket. Pour the desired amount of gravy on the poutine then top with the chives.
Andrea
You had me at BBQ brisket burnt ends on top of crispy fries. Restaurant quality at home. Pure deliciousness!
Kate
Wow, what a plateful! So many gorgeous things going on here... just delicious.
Jamie
This is so flavorful and satisfying! I love the combination of flavors with the gravy, poutine, and burnt ends. My family loved it!
Dana
Everything about this is so damn delicious. As a French Canadian, I'm a bit of a self-proclaimed poutine snob. Haha. You've got to have the cheese curds! And a nice thick gravy! Away from that I'm open to fun ways to shake it up and this is totally, truly acceptable. SO GOOD!
Aimee
Wow, there is so much rich flavor in this dish! My husband just recently got into smoking meats and we love brisket. I can't wait to make a new recipe the next time he smokes some. This is going to be outstanding.